Sunday = Chinese Animals

Matching dresses made by Grammy!

On the train

You may slap or you may tap, but please do not flap the glass!
Mavery eats so well with a fork and spoon!
We ordered WAY to much food!
Can someone please tell me what smile is in Chinese? But aren't they sweet in their matchy clothes? Thanks Grammy!

She LOVES it when she sees kids her age and wanted to join in the fun!

Amazing, did you know that the Chinese animals look exactly the same as our animals at home? Joking of course. First did I mention it is HOT here? In the 90's, so it feels like a typical miserable St Louis summer day. We drove to the Animal Safari and we were sweating before we even got inside. Thankfully Mavery will sit in the stroller or we would never have made it. The park is HUGE. We started out on a tram that takes you through alot of the animals up close. Closer than our zoos at home, so that was pretty neat. Mavery enjoyed pointing at all of them, as long as there was distance between us! After the tram ride you walk. With about 1000 other people. While trying to push a stroller. And there are no rules. If your stroller is in someones way, they just kick it out of their way. We did get our picture taken with a baby white tiger which was neat. And we saw the pandas, which is the only reason I cared to come to the park. If you are coming to China with older children, there is a huge area with rides and even a water park. Try not to hit it on the weekend though, so busy!

After the zoo we came back for naptime. Getting Mavery to sleep is still a battle, and I am pretty sure we are getting cussed out in Chinese during these times. Hopefully someday we can do this with out a huge war. While our kids napped Leigh and I went out shopping. Mark figured if I was on my own (with out him) I would spend less and that if I was with Leigh she might keep me from buying much. But he forgets that now most shops can tell me the price in American dollars, which is what I can comprehend! We are going to need another suitcase no doubt. It is just so hot and the shopping is just to much work, so you can't last long.

Dinner was at The Cow and Bridge, Thai food. Why is it called Cow Bridge I have no idea. The sweet and sour chicken with cashew is pretty yummy there as were the fried wontons and fried squid. (just in case you are taking notes for your trip!)

Mark and I did MORE shopping after dinner, and Mavery is not helpful as she chats with the chinese workers and we think she is probably telling them, "these people are suckers, don't worry, they will buy whatever you offer! I was excited to find my old favorite squeaky shoe store, I thought it had closed down. (can't remember her name, used to be in the courtyard) But she just moved over by Jennys place. Best selection of shoes, best prices. $5 a pair. I got so ripped off yesterday on shoes. Oh well. Remember last trip, 30 pairs of squeakys? I am not bringing home that many this time. 2 girls in them might be enough to send me over the edge. But the shoes are just way cuter than at home and so cheap! I WISH I could get a whole suitcase home.

Tomorrow is full of.... MORE SHOPPING! ;0) We are going to the pearl market and the walking street. (I have no idea what that means, I assume walking and lots of shopping!) I am pretty sure I will be shopped out after that. In the morning we have to stay in our room and wait for Connie to take our paperwork to the Consulate. This means it is getting more official and we are getting closer to HOME!

** Does anyone know what happened to A Gift from China? The shop that donated the money to orphans? It is barred up and we have seen no activity there. Though there is still stuff inside. I loved that place and I am bummed. Which reminds me, we were told that Shamien Island is getting ready to all be renovated, and so many of the shops are being moved or shut down. It makes me sad for these people who have made their life's living here.